K-pop groups BTS, EXO and TWICE win big at MAMA 2016

South Korean idol groups Bangtan Boys (BTS), EXO and TWICE won big at the 2016 Mnet Asian Music Awards (MAMA) at AsiaWorld-Expo Arena in Hong Kong.

Held on Friday night, BTS won Artist of the Year, and snatched the best dance performance award for male group artists, Yonhap reported.

K-pop boy band EXO won the Album of the Year award for the fourth consecutive year.

It also snagged three more awards, including best male group artist.

Song of the Year and the best female group artist awardwent to girl group, TWICE.

The group's mega-hit "Cheer Up" hit 100 million views on YouTube in 207 days after its release on April 25.

Yonhap reported that it set the record as the fastest K-pop music video to reach the milestone.

Other Asian and international artistes were also recognised for their contributions.

The award for best international producer went to US rapper-producer Timbaland, while Quincy Jones won for best contributor.

Thai artist J. Da was awarded best choreographer, and Japanese Hironobu Tanaka and Hidaka Masahiro received the awards for best engineer and best performance organiser.

Fashion-wise, the women stole the show on the red carpet, with Ha Ji-won turning heads in a glittery gown with a plunging neckline. 

While male artistes and celebrities suited up in various shades of black, Taiwanese actor stood out in a multicoloured long coat. South Korean actor Lee Byung-hun similarly bucked the trend in a white tux with black bowtie.

South Korean K-pop band I.O.I also perked up the otherwise sombre red carpet, with all 11 members appearing in frilly white dresses.

candicec@sph.com.sg